Derivatives

methanogenic

The association between anaerobic heterotrichous ciliates and endosymbiotic methanogenic archaea depends on the presence of hydrogenosomes that provide intracellular hydrogen as a substrate for methane formation.

Until recently, the distribution of these functions has been limited to methanogenic archaea and methylotrophic proteobacteria, and their evolutionary history remained obscure.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria directly compete with methanogenic bacteria for vital substrates, such as hydrogen and acetate.